Page 35 of The Keeper

My chest pinched. I may be intrigued by Noah, but his daughter was the one stealing my heart.

CHAPTER 13

NOAH

After the match, all I wanted was to go to my hotel room, watch some mindless TV, and sleep. I should’ve known that was wishful thinking.

Adil convinced the team to sneak into his room without Coach’s knowledge for a “bonding hangout sesh.” We were packed like sardines in here, but that didn’t stop the players from riding high on our victory against Holchester. They were Asher’s old team and our biggest rival in the league. However, the conversation soon pivoted to the upcoming World Cup.

“The time has come. I feel it,” Adil said dramatically. “Morocco’s taking the whole thing.”

“You bloody wish.” Asher snorted. “This is England’s year.”

“You wish. Even if we don’t win, I bet we’ll make the semi-finals. I’m manifesting it.”

“Fuck off with that England shit,” Vincent said. “You’ll have to get past me first.”

“Like that’s hard,” Asher retorted. “France’s midfield is mediocre compared to previous years. If…”

I tuned out the rest of their bickering. Our team was a tight-knit one, but when it came to international tournaments, it was every player (and country) for himself.

This year, the World Cup was in South Africa. I’d be traveling there myself with the US national team. I should be more excited, but it was my third World Cup…and it might be my last. I hadn’t told anyone, not even my agent, because I hadn’t made up my mind yet.

I was young enough to play in another one or even two tournaments if I wanted. The problem was, I didn’t know if I wanted to.

The restlessness started about a year ago. I used to have tunnel vision when it came to football, but now, as my teammates celebrated tonight’s win and looked ahead to the biggest tournament in the world, all I could think about was Evie and Carina. What they were doing, if Evie had summoned the courage to practice piano in front of other people yet, and whether Carina had plans for her day off this weekend.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Asher sank onto the floor next to me. I was seated against the wall by the TV.

“Just tired and thinking about sleep,” I lied.

“Uh-huh.” He gave me a knowing look. “Well, before you crash for the night, I have a question to ask you. Please do not feel pressured to say yes. I mean that.”

I felt a flicker of intrigue. “Okay.”

“Scarlett and I are getting married in September, and I’d like you to be one of my groomsmen.”

I stared at him, momentarily speechless. Asher’s engagement to Scarlett had taken the media by storm last year, but they’d said they wouldn’t get married until well after the World Cup. Asher had never won one, and getting that trophy had been his top goal for years.

“This September?” I clarified.

The tournament ended in July. Even if England didn’t make it that far, Asher wouldn’t be free until late June, at the earliest. Two to three months wasn’t enough time to put together the type of wedding that people expected from the world’s top footballer.

Although we were friends, we weren’t super close. His groomsman ask blindsided me almost as much as the date reveal.

“Yeah. Scarlett and I had a long talk about it yesterday, before I left. We decided to keep the ceremony super simple. A minister, close friends, and family. That’s it. We’ll have a big reception for everyone later, but we’ve been engaged for so long, and…we just want to be married.” Asher looked as sheepish and besotted as only a man in love could. “Plus, I didn’t want the ceremony to be a big hoopla. Between the press and planning, it would be too stressful.”

Smart. Asher’s wedding was bound to be a media circus. Keeping the ceremony small would cut down on the chances of it leaking to the press. He and Scarlett could get married in peace before opening up the celebrations to their broader social circle.

“Sorry for dropping it on you like this,” he added. “I know this isn’t the best time or place, but given the, uh, tight timing, I wanted to ask you as soon as possible. I’m only having two groomsmen, and Vincent’s already agreed to be the other one.” Asher’s eyes flicked to where his future brother-in-law was texting in the corner. Talking to Brooklyn, no doubt. “Like I said, don’t feel obligated to say yes. I know we’re not best mates, but I really value you as a friend. You were one of the few people who treated me like normal when I joined the team, and you’ve always had my back. Whether or not you say yes, just know that I appreciate it.”

I softened. Asher had had a rough time when he first transferred to Blackcastle, largely because of his then-bitter rivalry with Vincent. Adil and I were the only players who hadn’t secretly (or not so secretly) chosen sides.

It was all water under the bridge now, but I knew Asher had always had difficulties making real friends. It was hard to know who to trust when you were that famous and constantly under public scrutiny. The fact he trusted me enough to ask me to be his groomsman meant more than I expected.

“I’d be honored,” I said, my chest strangely tight. “Congratulations, man. That’s incredible.”

Asher’s face broke out into a grin. “Thank you. We’re excited. I’ll send over more details later, but could you keep this a secret for now? We want to keep a tight lid on things until Sloane figures out how to deal with the press.”